Landscape Assistant

Assists the Foundation's professional horticulture staff in maintaining Applewood's living collections including its gardens, lawns, and natural areas as well as delivering public programs.

1. Assists with preparation, planting, harvesting and maintenance of fruits, vegetables, annuals, perennials, lawns and woody plants, including watering, mulching, fertilizing, pruning and pesticide application as directed by staff.
2. Assists with year-round horticulture duties required to establish, improve, and maintain the landscape of the estate including: ornamental bed removal and installation; shrub border maintenance and rejuvenation; hardscape; water features; leaf pick up; and theme garden prep and maintenance.
3. Provides grounds maintenance in all seasons including but not limited to: cleans walks, drives, and stairs within and outside the fence; assists with turf grass maintenance including mowing, weed whipping, applying pesticides, herbicides, and fertilizers; assists with operational tasks such as snow and ice removal, painting, cleaning, organizing, building maintenance, etc.; performs routine cleaning and maintenance on gardening and grounds equipment; and operates light trucks and assorted power equipment.
4. Assists with public programming including guided tours, setup, tear down, and interaction with guests.
5. Pursues continuing education to stay informed of advances in horticulture.
6. Supports implementation of Applewood's Master Plan and the Ruth Mott Foundation's strategic plan as they relate to horticulture and Applewood.
7. Supports the execution of all organizational goals, especially those related to facilitating a positive organizational and race equity culture.
8. Completes other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

Knowledge and Relevant Experience

Required:

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Passion for working outside and 2 years of experience maintaining a landscape.
• Ability to obtain Michigan Commercial Pesticide Applicator's license with Ornamentals certification within 60 days after hiring.

Desired:

• Certification in Horticulture, Floriculture, Botany, Landscape Design, or Environmental Science.

Skills

• Ability to operate machinery and power tools required for the job.
• Experience or willingness to learn and operate equipment including power tools, hand tools, rototillers, front-end loader, tractors, skid steers, excavators, lawnmowers (push, riding, and zero-turn), etc.
• Ability to use computers and Microsoft Office suite products.
• Ability to work occasional evening and/or weekend hours.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

While performing the duties of this job:

• Must be able to travel up and down stairs and ladders.
• Bend, stoop, and lift to move materials on occasion.
• Pull/push, lift and carry up to 55 pounds on a regular basis.
• Reach both above and below shoulder height when needed.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

The nature of the work requires the ability to work in both an indoor office environment and outdoor environments in varying temperatures and weather conditions.